#heartofthesand

[sagemoderocklee]

Little things found hidden in boxes have a funny way of filling a hole that he wasn't even aware was in his heart.

my secret SANDa fic is done! This event was hosted by @heartofthesand and this is a gift for @yzy-sunagakure I really hope you enjoy this! Since there weren't any actual prompts, just fave characters and ships given, I pretty much just wrote whatever I was inspired to write. It's a little self-indulgent because I've been doing some world-building and character work with Karura for some other fics I'm working on and this kind of ended up being a prequel of sorts to something I'm working on, but since I know you like family relationship stuff I hope this is to your liking! I didn't have as much time to work on editing as I'd have liked because the holiday season was kind of hectic, but I worked hard on this and had lots of fun writing it!

[stalebreadsticc]

“First Snow” Secret Santa

Hey, hey! @badwigbrando I was your secret santa! And I apologize for the belated gift but I wrote you a little drabble! Hope you like it! Happy Belated Holidays! 

“First Snow” 

The wind whips through the village with a strange unmatched vengeance. It takes the small ball of snow and throws them around without a care. Kankuro sits by the window glaring at it all, as if his stare would be enough to stop it. It was their one down-time day during their trip to the Leaf Village, and of course it had to be one of the rare times where the weather dipped to chilled weather and snowy precipitation. 

Gaara had gone hours ago. The green-clad ninja had come looking for him and they both disappeared into the day without so much of an invite. Though, he knows better than to think his brother wouldn’t invite him to a friendly occasion, and the way their eyes met with one another Kankuro decided he shouldn’t intrude and invite himself. So he finds himself just staring out the window glaring at the collective swirl of snow. 

The village is quiet for the most part, he hardly sees anyone wandering around, running errands, rushing home... 

That is until he catches the sight of a lone shinobi trudging through the thick blanket that’s already on the ground. Kankuro blinks, watching as the boy in the leather jacket makes the trek from the street and up the steps to where he sits. Kankuro perks up, blinking as he watches him knock on the door. Lazily, he finds the will power to rise and answer the door. Something about the messy-haired man makes him have an extra spring in his step. “Figured you might be holed up in here still.” Kiba grins at him with that lopsided smile of his. 

It’s contagious. 

“I ain’t going out in that mess,” Kankuro agrees instantaneously with his own smile peaking through. 

“Well, you can either starve here, or get food with me.” 

“Both sound awful,” Kankuro teases. He earns a laugh from the other.

  “So, you’re coming along?”

“I am hungry.”

The two shuffle from the room onto the elongated porch. Kankuro’s feet force him to drag them along as soon as they feel the chill on his face. But he forces them forward and soon they’re standing on the balcony, overlooking the snow-covered world.

“Where’s the pup?” He asks, quirking a brow as he didn’t see him on his heels.

Kiba points knowingly to the courtyard, where Akamaru is dashing through the show, rolling playfully and barking at particularly nothing. “It’s his day off too,” Kiba reminds him pointedly, leaning on the railing to watch the dog chase circles into the fluff.

“And, here, I thought you were asking me on a date.”

“Oh, I am,” Kiba responds with a laugh, “We just have a chaperone. We’re a two person package.”

“So, I can’t just hang out with Akamaru? Bummer.” Kankuro laments dramatically.

The two share a laugh before they kick away from the railing and begin down the steps. The moment their feet touch the chill awaiting on the floor, Kankuro almost regrets agreeing to the adventure. His groan of displeasure is masked by Kiba’s whistle to his companion, who bounds over excitedly. He circles the two as if they’re obstacles in a race track. When he stops his mini circuit, he bounds over and jumps to greet the Suna native. “Hey, buddy.” He offers a small greeting an a pat on the head before he eases the dog’s paws back to the ground.

The wind howls through the yard. Kankuro shivers.

“C’mon,” Kiba nudges him forward and the two are off into what Kankuro deems a dreary day.

He tries to quell his obvious shivers and does his best not to complain. The second seems to be harder, because he deems himself an expert at commentary. But his teeth are chattering, making it hard to mold words, even when Kiba is talking to him with idle chit-chat. He tries focusing on that and not his discomfort.

Even as they chatter, Kankuro suspects that Kiba is some type of mind reader (because it’s not because he’s showing the weakness to the cold, no way). As they’re joking about nothing in particular, his movements are slight. But after a few moments, Kankuro feels a warm feeling on his shoulders. He blinks down to find Kiba’s heavy leather jacket draped over his shoulders.

He opens his mouth to protest but Kiba speaks before him. “Sometimes I forget that stuff from our villages are so different.” He admits to him as they continue along.

“Yeah, it’s not such a shock now, so I forget too.”

Kiba offers him a smile, showing off enlarged canines. “I haven’t been to Suna in ages, so, I forget you don’t get weather like this.”

“Oh, well, you guys don’t get it too often, either, right?”

“Eh, depends.” Kiba glances over to him, keeping that breathtaking smile on his features. “But I’m more used to it than you. You good now?”

Kankuro mulls it over a moment before he sighs, “Yeah, but my hand’s still cold.”

Kiba laughs before he shyly reaches for the other’s hand. Their fingers intertwine like long distant lovers in an embrace. Their beaming grins fall to small smiles that is just shared between the two of them, alone through the snow. Their bodies inch closer, so they’re sharing heat between shoulder blades and intertwined fingers. There’s some type of potential energy that emits to kinetic, transferring in the most equal balance the world has ever known.

“You should visit more,” Kiba tells him seriously as their pace slows. The sign to the establishment is in their sights, but they’re too busy talking to think about eating.

“Things have been crazy since I became a protector and all that stuff. Not like Gaara needs protecting, but it’s better for him to have someone in his corner.” 

“So… When he has things to do here…”

“I have an official reason to go on dates with you,” Kankuro interjects, nudging him playfully.

Kiba laughs, beaming at him with bright eyes. “Good. Good…” He trails off before he allows their hands to drop. “You know, come to think of it, I’m a little cold now.” 

“Oh?”

“Come fix it?”

“All you had to do was ask.” Kankuro closes the space between them before he wraps his arms around his waist, feeling the other embrace him that instant. There’s a world whipping the wind around them, and snowflakes are falling in Kiba’s hair, tickling Kankuro’s nose. But that’s worlds away and the frigid temperatures are bounced off as though their position creates a shield. There’s something about him that makes everything feel warm. He’s a fire, like a burning personality that refuses to dim. It’s warming, not even just physically, but warms the heart with every smile, each laugh. His warmth is reflected in the physicality of how he’s radiating like some type of heater. The Sand ninja grins against his shoulder.

And he decides he’s glad he went out today.  

[lucigra]

For Temari week!

Day 1- FAMILY REUNION

Temari and the family that she deserves.

@heartofthesand

(Click for better quality)

*Sand siblings: talking about the past

*Shikadai: eating all the dangos

*Shinki: wondering how can he eat that much

*Shikamaru: drinking a whole bottle of beer alone

*Yoshino: yelling at him because he's already drunk

Anyway it's a happy family.

[heartofthesand]

TEMARI WEEK 2020!

[August 17-23]

We have reached our 4th year in celebrating Temari week! So let’s get started!

Rules!

1. Anything is accepted: fanarts, fanfiction, GIFs, edits etc. with the only condition to post your own work! We will not accept any stolen artwork!

2. Tag your work with #temariweek in the first tags and mention @heartofthesand so we can find it easy and reblog it. You can also submit to us.

3. The event starts on 17th of August and will end on 23rd August

 (no pressure with the dates. you can submit after 23th as well. The whole month is her month ♥)

4. We absolutely won’t accept any other character hate/bashing. This is for everyone who loves and support Temari. No hate towards other characters is allowed.

5. There are 2 themes per day so you can choose one, both or combine them, depending on your own liking.

The daily themes for the event:

DAY 1. Family reunion/New Mission

DAY 2. Memories/Summer view

DAY 3. Favourite fight/ Weapons

DAY 4. Role model/ Teacher

DAY 5. Fantasy/ Medieval AU

DAY 6. Modern AU/ Fashion Icon

DAY 7. Gift

 I love that so many people still show support and love for our Temari. Let's enjoy another year of Temari love ♥. Help us spread the word and have a great week full of wonderful works. Let’s have fun ♥

[For any questions feel free to ask us]

[misssunflowersandsangria]

Homecoming

Happy Temari week!  Thank you to everyone at @heartofthesand  for hosting! I’m excited to help celebrate our queen.  Enjoy this small introspection! 

Prompt: Reunion

Summary:  There’s nothing in the world like being home. 

*

**

Homecoming 

The area was a natural phenomenon out in the barren desert.  A small oasis of green trees and plants with a pond in the middle of miles of sand.  It was the perfect place for the previous Kazekage and his wife to have their final rest.  

“Hello mother, father.  I’m sorry that I haven’t had a chance to visit in so long.”  Temari placed a few gifts at the headstones.  Various flowers and treats before settling down.  Her fingers traced over the names etched in stone.  Willing herself to imagine their spirits there with her.

“I’m getting married tomorrow.”  She took a deep breath.  Calming herself, centering her thoughts. 

“I just wanted to have a moment to talk to you.  I pray that you are both at peace. Please know that you raised three wonderful children.  I wish that you could be here to see it. Gaara is so strong now.  Not just physically but mentally and spiritually.   He has grown in all this time.  He found peace along the path you set him on.  Suna is prospering under his watchful eye.”  She took a moment to remember the frightening monster that her brother once was.  Now he was so much more.  A dependable leader, brother, and friend.  

“Kankuro, well Kankuro is the same.”  She grinned thinking about the puppet master.  “He may joke, and he annoys me on a good day but I think that in some ways, he is stronger than all of us.  Please don’t ever let him know I said that.”  Kankuro had always been the annoying younger brother.  In many ways though, he was her best friend. 

“As for myself.  I’ve held onto a lot of anger for so long now.  Mother, I hated that you left us.  You left me.  You weren’t there to protect us.  I had to learn about love, the world, and my place in it without you.  I wish you could be here to help me.  To teach me how to be a good wife.  I’m terrified about having my own child.”  She brushed away those sorrowful tears.    

“I wanted to hate you forever father. I carried so much anger and resentment for what you put me and my brothers through.  I hated what you did to Garra.  How you taught us to treat him.  I allowed how I felt about you to fuel me. Now I think that I have a better understanding.  I’m not angry anymore.  I want you to both know that I forgave you a long time ago.  Perhaps you don’t need my forgiveness but I needed it for myself.”

“Father, you raised me to be fearless and selfless.  To give everything that I am to Suna.  I have done all that I could but it is time to move on.  I will still continue to love and support my home but I have a different mission now.  I would do anything for the Sand and my brothers but I can’t give up my heart.  I’m sorry to leave Suna but it’s in good hands.”  She choked back a sob as the realization began to sink in that she was leaving. 

“Shikamaru makes me so happy.  I didn’t know that I could feel this way. That I was even allowed to.  I’ve never known a love like this and I don’t think that I ever will again in this lifetime.  I can be myself with him. I can be messy, cruel, soft, and vulnerable and it doesn’t scare him away.  Even if it probably should.  He makes me feel safe and I haven’t felt that way in so long.  Shikamaru is my home now and I have to be with him.  Marriage, being a wife, and having a husband.  These were never things that I wanted.  But I want these things with him.  In all honesty, I think that he needs me more than Suna does.”  

A soft smile crossed her face as she thought about the pineapple haired ninja.  “It’s silly huh, the famed Princess of Suna marrying a foreigner with no title or station.  The Council gave us a hell of a time.  I pray that you are not rolling in your graves.  But please believe that he is the only person for me.  There is no one in Suna or across the great nations that I could imagine loving more.  I know that he will love and care for me in the way that I deserve.  I pray that we can be just as happy as I believe that you two were.”

She stood up with one last longing glance, feeling the wind kick up around her. “Thank you both.  Watch over all of us.  I will be back before I leave to reintroduce Shikamaru to you as my husband.  When our child is born he will know his grandparents.  I love you both.”

She made the trek out of the hidden area, the desert sun drying her tears.  Her steps were light as her heart was now unburdened. 

Shikamaru turned hearing her return and opened his arms out wide to her.  She settled into his chest a kind of peace and love radiating from her.  Knowing that this is where she belonged.  He was her home.

He pressed soft kisses into her hair.  “How was the reunion?”

“Good.”  Shikamaru was thankful that she could have some peace.  

“Ready to be married to me?”  He asked with a grin.  

She glanced up at him with an excited gleam in her eyes.  Eager for this next chapter in life.  

“Absolutely.”   

*

**

Thanks for reading loves!  I needed to do something to celebrate her! I probably only have one more entry for this week if I can get it together.  But I am excited to see everyone’s contributions! 

[vainkaz]

@heartofthesand day 5: memories

Kankuro has a good memory....used for embarrassing his siblings

[shikanaradai]

Temari Week 2019 - Day 1: Bonds

@heartofthesand

[doodlingleluke]

@heartofthesand‘s Kankuro week 

day 1 - fav outfit!

I didn’t always like this outfit, but after drawing it a billion times I’ve come to appreciate how extra it is. Thanks to the lovely @badwigbrando for doing the magazine edit!!

[valleyggd]

Kankuro Week Day 6!

Special Bonds tribute to Kankuro and his siblings! 

// please click for better rez 

@heartofthesand

Not to mention how much I love their dynamic! 

//transparent background if you want it to make your tumblr color theme

[ostaranight]

Temari Week Day 5: Magical Land/Desert Sunset

This is actually the first digital art piece I really ever did, but came back to it and added a little extra. Ya know, cause she’s the best.

@heartofthesand

[hoshiswriting]

Kankuro's week from @heartofthesand !

Day 3- Middle Child

A little scene where our Kankuro takes the blame for Gaara's little troubles 😂

[sunagakubae]

Do you have any naruto blog suggestions ?

ok so i actually don’t have a lot of mutuals and i only really know a handful of naruto bloggers ““personally”” so i’m just gonna tag the ones i think are great drama-free nart blogs. some of these aren’t completely naruto but they post enough about it so they count in my book.

@sunagakures @whattadragg @kakashifromaccounting @takigakure @naratemari @fineillsignup @dumbasshokage @jaxyjellyfish @sandbabies @heartofthesand @doodlingleluke @sakurasdivorcelawyer @itachi-maru @the-winds-of-sunagakure @shikamarubase @shikanaradai @shikamaruspineapplehair @sheeswee @thatshinobilife @metaru-lee

those are all i can say at the top of my head rn but ya pls follow all of these blogs if u can!!

[justgaara]

Hello!! I have a question for Gaara week. I know you said only Gaara and close family, but can it include close friends like Naruto?

The Gaara Week event I have planned is mainly focused on Gaara. You are free to do whatever you want with the themes, but as I said in the post:

“if you make something that contains anyone else besides Gaara and his immediate family I won’t be able to share it on my blog. ”

If you’re looking for an event where you can include other characters, check out the other Gaara birthday event I just reblogged, hosted by @heartofthesand

[heartofthesand]

TEMARI WEEK 2019!

[August 17-23]

We are happy to announce that we have reached our 3rd Temari week!!

Rules!

1. Anything is accepted: fanarts, fanfiction, GIFs, edits etc. with the only condition to post your own work! We will not accept any stolen artwork!

2. Tag your work with #temariweek in the first tags and mention @heartofthesand so we can find it easy and reblog it. You can also submit to us.

3. The event starts on 17th of August and will end on 23rd August

4. We absolutely won’t accept any other character hate/bashing. This is for everyone who loves and support Temari. No hate towards other characters is allowed.

5. There are 2 themes per day so you can choose one, both or combine them, depending on your own liking.

The daily themes for the event:

DAY 1. Home/Bonds

DAY 2. SunaTraditions/ History

DAY 3. Kunoichi/Fighting techniques

DAY 4. A new beginning/ Modern AU

DAY 5. Magical Land/ Desert Sunset

DAY 6. Festival / Summer days

DAY 7. Celebration day

For any questions feel free to ask us! We will gladly answer them

[misssunflowersandsangria]

Runways

Happy Day 6 of Temari week everyone!  Thanks to @heartofthesand for hosting the event! I had another story written for today but I super fell down a rabbit hole with this prompt, so enjoy!

Prompt:  Fashion Icon

Summary:  She always did love long walks. 

*

**

Runways 

Temari took slow, delicate steps across the large runway.  Remembering a similar walk just hours ago.  The empty seats and silence were startling compared to the earlier mass of people, music, and camera clicks. 

The cheers were deafening as Temari stepped out as a model into the bright lights for one last time. She strode down the walkway with the same confidence and assurance that she’d perfected over the years. The chaos of music, cameras, lights, and sounds would be disorienting for a regular person but not for her.  The runway raised her.  This was her home, her kingdom and she commanded the stage as a queen would. 

Her focus in all the madness was drawn towards her family smiling brightly at her. The tears in their eyes matched her own. 

She stood at the end of the walk taking a deep breath to capture the moment.  Allowing herself to enjoy the experience while a million memories ran through her head.  One last pose. With a sense of gratitude and a kind of peace, she made her final walk back. 

Temari laid back on the cool surface reflecting on the journey that led her there.

This was it. She was done. 

She’d started working for the Nara House of Fashion when she was 16. They were the first label willing to give her a chance when she’d started off on this modeling journey. From that day she never looked back.

They eased her in with photoshoots and magazine spreads before hitting the runway.  She would never forget the feeling of stepping out onto that huge stage.  Even now that rush is incomparable. 

She had worked for other designers and companies but her relationship with the Naras had been special. Their fashion line was a luxury, worldwide brand with its inspired designs and creativity. At first, she’d been in complete awe over the operation, wide-eyed and afraid of making a mistake. Now after so many years they were her family. 

Shikaku and Yoshino the husband and wife duo and CEOs took her under their wing. Keeping her safe from anyone that may have tried to take advantage of her lack of experience. Her own father had practically disowned her when she went off on her own. Whereas Shikaku and Yoshino welcomed her with open arms. 

Temari looked up curiously hearing a slow soft melody played through the speakers. Her eyes drifted to a handsome, dark-haired man in a well-fitting suit. 

“Dance with me, my Love?”  She grinned up at him taking his offered hand. She settled into his arms, her head rested against his heart. They swayed back and forth slowly under a diamond chandelier. 

“You were breathtaking tonight Tem.”

Shikamaru Nara, son of Yoshika and Shikaku Nara, now CEO and creative director of House Of Nara.  And her new husband. 

She’d met him when he was just an awkward 14-year-old boy dragged along to fittings, meetings, and fashion shows. 

He was annoying and complained the entire time getting on her nerves. Leaving her in disbelief that he didn’t appreciate the life he was born into. His parents would often force him into fashion shoots and even make him work right along side her.  Now she treasured those photos.

Over the years though his genius began to show.  He grew into the role he’d been bred for. His own line, Shadow Stitches, could be found around the world and kept the Naras at the top of the fashion world.  For Temari, even when she was younger, knowing that he was there at the end of that runway always made fashion shows that much better. 

She was thankful that she had him there for the entirety of her career. He’d supported her and held her through the highs and lows. They accomplished so much together. Exploring the world while growing up side by side. 

“The dress is gorgeous.” She sighed into his chest.  His fingers at her hips gripped the delicate fabric.  

“Good, you designed it.” 

They’d spared no expense in the creation. The rare fabric hugged her form perfectly. Real gold spun thread was used to create elaborate patterns.  It was a design that honored her history and was inspired by her desert homeland. An actual work of art that would never be worn by another. It would be preserved and displayed back at their offices. 

She’d delayed her retirement for a year after Shikamaru approached her about creating her own line under the fashion house. She had modeled for so long and worn countless designs that he believed she could create something new. Something that the world had yet to see. His hunch had been correct if the reactions tonight were any indication. 

For the last show of her modeling career, she was able to wear her own creation and it made the decision to retire feel right. 

She was now going to work right alongside him for her own label. 

“It’s going to be so strange being behind the scenes.  I’ve done this for so long now.”

Shikamaru kissed the crown of her head. “I agree. It won't be as enjoyable for me not seeing you walking down the runway and towards me. But you’ll be sitting right next to me.  This is a good thing. A next step, and like everything you do, you’re going to be great at it.” 

She nodded.  They’d talked through this decision so many times now. She’d accomplished everything that she could dream of as a supermodel. Endless covers, shoots, shows, and runways.  She was an icon in every sense.  It was now time to settle into a new role. 

Being a high fashion designer would just be a new adventure. 

So would being a wife and mother. 

He pressed an affectionate kiss into her hair. “I remember that first show that I saw you walk in. I was in the back so annoyed with my parents for making me come watch this thing for girls, but then I saw you.  You were radiant. It wouldn’t have mattered what you wore. There was this ferocity and passion set in your eyes.  That I can still see today. I think that I fell in love with you that day.”

She grinned, her teal eyes shining in affection. 

Shikamaru couldn’t help but smile thinking about those first early years together.  “Growing up I’d always see this all as being so vapid and pointless. You made me see it in a new way. There is an art and a love to it. It’s bringing an emotion, an experience to life. Within whatever the length of a runway you manage to tell a story.  Now you’re going to be telling your own story with what you create.” 

She kissed him wordlessly, her heart and mind at ease. 

She’d missed the bright lights and rush of walking down a runway but there was nothing that could compare to this. Love, home, and family. 

Temari took his hand in hers.  A genuine smile cut across her face.  “Ready to take this walk with me?”

Shikamaru nodded squeezing her hand tight taking a step forward.  “I’ll walk with you anywhere my Queen.”

*

**

OMG I love this AU!  I have an idea to make this a multi-chapter story starting from when Tem goes off on her own and meets the Naras then all the way up to this story.  (I’m so lazy though) but it might be something in the future.  I just love the idea of Tem being this amazing supermodel and Shika is a fashion designer (but will also unwillingly do photoshoots)!  It would be able them growing up and navigating the whole thing together.  Ino and Chouji are there too!  The Nara House of Fashion is just part of a whole empire. 

Well if I don’t write it, even if I do, feel free to ask me questions! 

Thanks for reading!  I really want to write something steamy for tomorrow but ugh we will see!  It might have to come after the week is over and will be part of my Lemonade series on AO3.  Thanks again! Love you my pretty deers! 

[vainkaz]

@heartofthesand

day 2 : war hero

day 3: middle child, as a middle child kankuro takes extreme pride in his height